Top tips for thriving village shops (From Hampshire Chronicle)
When news happens, text CHRON and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email & phone.
Top tips for thriving village shops
8:30am Wednesday 2nd November 2011 in North Winchester
Gift wrapping expert Arona Khan gives some tips to Cllr Ray Ellis, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for economic development and rural affairs at the village shop conference in Otterbourne
KEEPING a village shop going can be tough, but a conference near Winchester aimed to give traders a helping hand.
The event, run by Hampshire County Council, was held at Otterbourne Village Hall for shopkeepers to share advice.
Delegates heard how using the internet and social media to promote their firms could lead to success.
The conference also covered the role of volunteers, who often play a vital part in keeping community-run stores going.
Recent and planned changes for the postal network were also discussed with a Post Office representative.
Cllr Ray Ellis, county council executive member for economic development and rural affairs, said: “The conference brought together people who are running village shops around the county so they could share their experiences and ideas on how to improve the use of their stores.”
He added: “Village shops are often a lifeline for the vulnerable and can play an integral part in the vitality and vibrancy of a village community.
“We have been working with village shops in Hampshire to help increase footfall and ensure sustainability through the village community grant scheme.”
The grant scheme was launched by the county council and the South East England Development Agency in 2008.
It offers financial support to help existing village shops or to launch community-led ones, especially in areas that are losing post offices. So far, 22 grants have been awarded.
The scheme is aimed at villages of 5,000 people or fewer and applications can come from community associations and voluntary groups.
Parish councils can also apply, along with shopkeepers if they have the parish council’s backing.
Visit www3.hants.gov.uk/business/rural-initiatives/villagegrant.htm or call Anne Harrison on 01962 846558 to find out more.
The conference – which is the second of its kind held by the county council – took place on Thursday, October 20.
